Standing on the West Tower, watching the wild momentum of the horse bandits below, the assembled ministers were filled with worry. Mada said, "Grand Tutor, I suggest we dispatch another ten thousand Imperial Guards. Excluding the city perimeter defense, we should still have forty thousand Imperial Guards available as a mobile force. An extra ten thousand would give us greater certainty."

Grand Tutor Pang replied, "Your Majesty, the crux of the matter now is not about the number of men, but that the enemy is overwhelming us with the sheer force of their cavalry charge. As the saying goes, 'An army collapses like a mountain falling'—it speaks of morale shattering and routing across a thousand miles. The enemy cavalry cannot number more than three thousand. Using twenty thousand Imperial Guards against them already seems to overvalue them. Adding more troops might only instill further insecurity in our soldiers. This would be an act that inflates the enemy's spirit while diminishing our own prestige."

Mada countered, "But if this battle is lost, won't our morale suffer even greater setbacks? I am merely preparing for the unlikely event."

Grand Tutor Pang stated, "Your Majesty, to win this battle, we must bolster the spirits of the soldiers. Once the soldiers are full of confidence, they have no reason to let even one horse bandit escape, even if it takes ten men to take down one steed."

Mada asked, "Then how can we bolster the soldiers' spirits?"

Grand Tutor Pang answered, "Other methods might not suffice. The most effective way is for Your Majesty to personally descend to the foot of the city to lend your presence and support. This will surely stabilize the army's morale and allow us to repel the horse bandits in one decisive blow."

The Left and Right Chancellors immediately knelt to object, "Your Majesty, absolutely not! The horse bandits are fierce and have repeatedly violated our borders, but never before have they occupied our border city so persistently as they have this year. Now, they have gone to great lengths to infiltrate the borders of our Shuangcheng. There must be an earth-shattering conspiracy brewing behind this. Your Majesty, as the ruler of a nation, you must not place yourself in such danger."

Grand Tutor Pang was clearly displeased. He addressed the two Chancellors, "Esteemed Prime Ministers, since you disagree with my proposal, then you two shall take charge of repelling the enemy. After all, this old body is already advanced in age, and matters of fighting and killing are long past being suitable for me."

The Left and Right Chancellors exchanged uneasy glances. Not only did the State of Shuangcheng lack any experience in warfare, but as civil officials, they dared not even kill a chicken. How could they possibly handle several thousand horse bandits?

Chancellor Niu pondered for a moment and said, "Grand Tutor Pang, we merely do not wish to see Your Majesty put in harm's way. After all, if any mishap were to occur, we could not bear the responsibility. As for repelling the enemy, that should be the affair of the military officials in the Ministry of War; it is best that we civil officials do not interfere."

Pang Hu pointed to the imposing cavalry below the city walls and said, "Your Majesty, look at the enemy; despite a night-long ride, they remain majestic. Now look at our soldiers; they are idle day after day, yet they appear dispirited rather than full of vigor. Given this contrast, if we do not inspire our soldiers' morale, I don't know how much certainty we have of victory."

The faction of Wang Dang suddenly spoke up in agreement. In an instant, the Left and Right Chancellors found themselves isolated. Mada made up his mind: "Very well, I will personally descend to the foot of the city to command and cheer on the soldiers. I hope everyone fights bravely. Upon repelling the horse bandits, I shall certainly bestow rewards."

Mada was, in fact, a rather astute monarch, certainly not prone to the debauchery that consumed some of his ancestors. However, while he aspired to be a sage ruler, he might not realize that ambition. The greatest mistake of his life was the failure of his balancing act, which allowed the Pang faction to swell in power. Now, seizing this sudden opportunity, he was determined to reverse this losing streak.

Knowing the danger now, yet unwilling to concede defeat as an emperor, Mada decided to take a calculated risk. Besides, the city gate was right behind him; even if trouble arose, he could retreat quickly. He certainly couldn't allow those horse bandits to shout provocations outside the gate; this would greatly undermine the prestige of a great nation.

No one could dissuade Mada, so orders to deploy troops were issued one after another. Yet, Mada was not entirely reckless. He sent out all forty thousand mobile Imperial Guards. The grand army formed orderly square formations and filed out of the West Gate, the men with polearms, clubs, and bows moving in perfect step—a truly magnificent spectacle.

Some among the horse bandits understood the Shuangcheng language. They organized a hundred or so men to roar like megaphones: "You effeminate men of Shuangcheng, you are unworthy of those beauties! Hand over your wives and daughters, and we might spare your emperor's life! Huddling inside the city, are you even men anymore? You might as well call yourselves turtles!"

Zhang Shouren felt the deepest resentment towards the horse bandits. He rushed before Mada and declared, "Your Majesty, your humble general requests an immediate sortie to battle!"

Mada was only a few hundred meters from the West Gate. If anything happened, he could retreat quickly under the protection of the Imperial Guards and the Palace Guards. Two thousand of the forty thousand Imperial Guards arrayed themselves at the front, with the remaining two thousand flanking to protect him. Seeing the formation set, Mada agreed to Zhang Shouren's request.

The horse bandits had been closely monitoring the movements of the Imperial Guards. Seeing the Imperial Guards move out and array themselves, they did not rush to attack but instead ceded an open area behind them. They had their reasons: without a range of an arrow's flight to build up speed, the advantage of their warhorses could not be utilized. These Imperial Guards had backward weaponry; the horse bandits were confident they could break through the opponent in a single charge, then divide and surround them before smashing through again. At that point, these men of Shuangcheng would be utterly defenseless, and upon their deaths, many more women within the city would fall under the domination of the horse bandits.

At the sound of command, the Imperial Guards began to advance slowly. The foremost ranks were equipped with heavy broadswords, perfectly suited for hacking at horse legs. Right behind the swordsmen came the archers, drawing their bows and nocking arrows, prepared to unleash an attack as soon as they were in range. Earlier, Mada had stood at the city gate to salute and encourage the departing troops; everyone was high-spirited, ready to slay the horse bandits under the walls.

A single rider broke out in front of the horse bandit cavalry, and several thousand riders began their wild gallop in four ranks abreast. The bandits on horseback brandished their sabers and roared, the tap-tap-tap of hooves raising thick clouds of dust that momentarily stunned the soldiers of Shuangcheng.

Zhang Shouren, being an old general, his heart fueled by vengeful anger, roared and raised his heavy broadsword, launching his charge toward the horse bandits. The Imperial Guards behind him followed suit; nearly three thousand swordsmen pointed their blades forward, shouting 'Waaaah!' as they sprinted toward the cavalry.

The distance between the two sides rapidly closed. The archers following the swordsmen began to fire. A sky full of arrows rained down, and riders fell from their horses mid-charge, instantly trampled by the succeeding wave of cavalry. However, more of the horsemen were merely wounded; the arrows fell in a parabolic arc after being shot high into the air, and the arrowheads were not poisoned. Unless a vital spot was hit, death was not immediate.

Time could only be measured in seconds. Infantry ran fast, but cavalry charged faster. The archers only managed to loose two volleys before the front lines clashed. Immediately, there was a continuous sound of thudding cuts and crashing collisions. Many Shuangcheng swordsmen found their heavy broadswords unable to even swing down before they were kicked aside by hooves, while many more were trampled underfoot. Their own formation became chaotic, and the long handles of the heavy broadswords could not be effectively wielded. Even striking a horse's leg often came at the cost of their own life.

The horse bandit cavalry seemed unwilling to engage in protracted fighting at the front. They charged forward relentlessly, heedless of death. The swordsmen could not hold them back, only allowing gaping holes to be torn through their formation. The cavalry of Wanma quickly met the archers. Those archers carried a short saber in addition to their bows, but under the lightning-fast impact of the cavalry charge, they only managed to draw their blades before their heads were severed.

Many horse bandits wielded a saber in each hand, their blades flashing left, right, up, and down, frequently slaughtering large numbers of Imperial Guards. Clenching their knees tightly around their mounts, they paused for no one, tearing through the archer lines and charging toward the clubmen in the rear. The clubmen were naturally even less capable of resisting. Seeing the first two lines of defense broken so rapidly, some panicked. Someone, no one knew who, threw down his club and ran back toward the city. The urge to flee spread through the entire unit like gasoline on cotton, instantly igniting the whole force.

Mada had only blinked, and suddenly, the horse bandits had breached multiple layers of defense and were upon them. Pang Hu and the others naturally had to stay close behind Mada; otherwise, the Emperor personally overseeing the battle while they hid on the tower would have been utterly shameful. The sudden turn of events surpassed everyone's expectations, leaving them all gaping, speechless.

Fortunately, a Palace Guard nearby shouted, "Escort His Majesty into the city!"

Minister of War Bai Song snapped out of his daze, "Left and Right Imperial Guards, protect His Majesty! You must block the horse bandits on the perimeter!"

Suddenly, someone pointed to the flanks, "No, no... this is terrible! The horse bandits are attacking from the sides!"

Indeed, two columns of bandits, each numbering over two thousand, inserted themselves into the flanking Imperial Guards with the speed of leopards. And just like the bandits in front, they had no interest in prolonged fighting—only relentless impact. It was precisely this tactic that made the Imperial Guards unable to defend themselves; usually, they wouldn't even see the enemy in one second, and the next, their heads would be cleaved off.

Unable to withstand the assault, the Imperial Guards began flooding toward the city gate. The West Gate was built quite wide and tall, but it could not accommodate several thousand routed soldiers pushing inward simultaneously. At that moment, who cared about the Emperor's presence? If others were fleeing, why couldn't they? Without their lives, everything else was nonsense.

A contingent of Palace Guards tried to clear a path for Mada to enter the city through the retreating masses, but they failed. Mada was now filled with deep regret, lamenting that he had not heeded the advice of the Left and Right Chancellors. In fact, Gu Qi had proposed a strategy of strictly defensive warfare the night before, arguing that the bandits' strength lay in frontal assault, while their infantry was suited only for defense. To attack the enemy's strength with their own weakness was an invitation to defeat.

Mada found it even harder to believe how potent the horse bandits' fighting ability was. This type of charge, he thought, even ten legions could not withstand unless those ten legions were groups of mindless zombies who knew neither fear nor pain. Perhaps only by piling up mountains of corpses could they stall the swift assault of the horse bandit cavalry.

Pang Hu was also deeply regretful. He had never truly witnessed a proper war. He had previously believed that Zhang Guan's defeat was due to hidden personnel within the army sent by the Imperial Stable to sabotage him. Now, facing real horse bandits, he finally understood that Zhang Guan's feat of exchanging ten thousand lives for the capture of Black Dragon County was indeed a major accomplishment.

Yet, Pang Hu couldn't comprehend why such ferocious horse bandits had been like sickly fowl when facing that young upstart. They had defended the city only to be routed utterly. Could that person truly be a Martial God descended to the mortal realm? Was opposing him too unwise? But he belonged to the Crown Prince's faction; if he didn't oppose him, would Pang Hu have to yield complete authority to the Crown Prince?

"Grand Tutor, what is to be done now?" Even the usually composed Mada panicked as the cavalry closed in on them.

Grand Tutor Pang suddenly snapped back to reality. "Your Majesty, the enemy is too aggressive! Quickly, order the soldiers on the ramparts to lower the rope basket and pull Your Majesty up to the wall first!"

The Palace Guards, frantically turning in circles, were suddenly inspired by this suggestion, and someone immediately began shouting orders to the guards above. But Mada erupted in anger, "I cannot flee! Wouldn't that invite even more ridicule from the horse bandits?"

The surrounding officials pleaded, "Your Majesty, at a moment like this, how can we concern ourselves with appearances?"

Mada insisted, "Precisely at such a moment we must not lose our dignity, or how can we lead the court officials afterward?"

If the Emperor did not move, none of the officials near him could escape. Everyone sweated profusely from anxiety, even Grand Tutor Pang cursed his bad luck. What was supposed to be a glorious opportunity to gain merit, a chance to temper the Imperial Guards' combat capabilities, and a way to tighten his grip on military power, had turned into this disaster. Had he truly underestimated the enemy? But the horse bandits had committed barely over five thousand troops to the fight; how could their crushing defeat with a four-to-one advantage be considered underestimation? They were simply too formidable.

Boom! Boom! Two earth-shaking cannon reports suddenly echoed from within the city, followed by a loud shout: "Any Imperial Guard who retreats toward the city gate again will be blown to pieces!"

The Imperial Guards who had been surging toward the West Gate suddenly wheeled around and fled outward. "Damn it! Commander Gu of the Rear Guard has gone mad! He's shelling his own men! Run! More than a hundred brothers have been blown into mincemeat!"

The Imperial Guards intending to retreat to the gate heard that Gu Qi was bombarding them and immediately changed direction. They knew Gu Qi was a man of strict principles; moreover, he always acted first and warned later. If they continued to squeeze inward, they would certainly be shelled. Whoever pushed hardest would die fastest. Cannons were a novelty, but most of these Imperial Guards had seen them at the Eastern Depot, where six pieces were displayed, and demonstrations had even been given to the assembled officials. Even a solid blue granite block would shatter under a single iron projectile.

The archway of the city gate cleared in an instant. Two orderly columns of Imperial Guards swiftly ran out, closely followed by agents of the Eastern Depot. Their uniforms were somewhat mismatched, indicating that some were formerly secret agents, while the mainline agents wore Feiyu (Flying Fish) robes, instantly recognizable to anyone with eyes. Each man carried a long spear on his back, and some were pushing single-wheeled carts laden with launchers. Most of these were designed to fire iron bolts; the javelin launchers were too cumbersome for the Eastern Depot to use efficiently, having been exchanged with the Imperial Stable for newer models.

Gu Qi, accompanied by two generals and Ah Gou, the squadron leader, rushed to Mada's side. The group knelt down, "Your Majesty, your humble general has arrived late to offer protection."

Mada wiped the cold sweat from his brow. "Not late, not late! Esteemed friend, please rise quickly. It is fortunate you managed to clear the gate; otherwise, we would all have been trapped outside."

Gu Qi commanded the two generals behind him, "Escort His Majesty back to the palace! If even the slightest error occurs, bring me your heads!"

Ah Gou waved his hand, and several third-squad leaders standing behind him ordered their agents to pull up the launchers and shield Mada. "Your Majesty, please return to the palace. These sons of bitches from Wanma dare to look down upon the might of our Celestial Dynasty! We shall teach them a lesson!"

Mada no longer dared to underestimate the cavalry of Wanma. Perhaps they shouldn't even be called horse bandits anymore, as this scale of engagement resembled proper warfare between nations. "Esteemed friend, the enemy is too fierce. Everyone should retreat quickly into the city. I deeply regret not heeding Commander Gu's advice last night; we should have held a strict defense."

Gu Qi replied, "Your Majesty, I confess I was somewhat hesitant last night as well. Rest assured, these few horse bandits are nothing to fear. Please hasten Your Majesty's departure so that we may fight the horse bandits to the death without worry for your safety."

Mada knew he could offer no help here. "Very well, I shall ascend the city wall to beat the war drums and cheer you on!"

Mada and the assembled ministers rapidly retreated toward the city gate. Near the gate lay the corpses of the Imperial Guards who had been moved aside. The report that the cannon fire had struck the city gate archway proved true. Some officials immediately began drafting petitions, planning to severely impeach Gu Qi over this incident later.

Before Mada could step through the gate, the leading wave of horse bandit cavalry reached the position he had just occupied. Ah Gou aimed his laser rifle and pierced a horse's skull. The bandit on its back leaped off, and Gu Qi met him with his saber; wha, in a single exchange, the enemy's head was severed! He swung his saber and roared, "Kill! Any Imperial Guard who retreats shall be executed for mutiny on the battlefield!"

Ah Gou knew that heavy weapons were needed now to suppress the horse bandits' assault and buy time and confidence for their counterattack. He commanded, "All agents of the Eastern Depot, engage according to your planned combat groups! Repel the horse bandits and you are all heroes; killed by the horse bandits, you are all brave men! But if you retreat even half a step, you are damned cowards, unworthy of being soldiers of the Eastern Depot! Kill!"

The Rear Guard and the Eastern Depot were units known for their strict discipline. Even without these speeches, the soldiers knew they must fight bravely. However, these words were primarily directed at the continuously retreating Imperial Guards. While some among them had participated in the suppression of bandits in Huyang, their meager strength was insufficient to turn the tide of this rout. Now that the retreat was halted by the Eastern Depot and the Rear Guard, they immediately rallied.

"Brothers, turn back and fight the horse bandits! Real men die on the battlefield! If we retreat now, we'll surely be punished by the Emperor; it's better to earn merit to atone for our sins!"

A wave of cavalry charged forward, and the launchers opened fire. High-speed, spinning iron bolts flew out, their force great enough to pierce a horse's skull. However, the Eastern Depot did not have many of these weapons, and there was no time to set up a proper defense, so their effectiveness was significantly reduced. But those agents carrying firearms performed admirably. They had two types of guns: old single-shot models, and some newer repeating rifles. Rounds of volley fire brought down entire ranks of cavalry.

Overall, the situation still favored Shuangcheng somewhat less, but the momentum of the horse bandit cavalry attack had been stalled. The Imperial Guards had nowhere left to retreat, as the other four city gates were being held by horse bandit cavalry units. Under the leadership of the Eastern Depot and the Rear Guard, they slowly rejoined the counterattack. Once the cavalry slowed their pace, they were like trapped beasts, while the Imperial Guards, whose formations had been broken by the cavalry charge, could now wield their heavy broadswords effectively. A single swing sometimes managed to sever two horse legs.

The horse bandits did not want a prolonged fight, especially since they understood their predicament: once the outlying Shuangcheng forces returned, they would be trapped between fronts and annihilated. Seeing the tide turning against them, they immediately signaled a retreat. The Imperial Guards seized the advantage and pursued, killing a few more bandits, but relying on their swift horses, the bandits quickly withdrew beyond the city walls. The infantry could not catch them and had to abandon the chase.

It was difficult to determine if this battle should be counted as a win or a loss; perhaps "turning a defeat into a victory" would be more fitting. Throughout the entire engagement, Mada, ignoring the pleas of his ministers, ascended the outer West Tower to beat the war drums personally. Firstly, Mada was aging, and secondly, the battle lasted for quite some time. By the time the Wanma cavalry retreated, Mada was utterly drained.

During the fighting, ministers repeatedly stepped forward to offer to beat the drums for the Emperor, but he refused them all. As Emperor, he bore inescapable responsibility for the thousands of corpses of the Imperial Guards outside the walls. His decision had been overly reckless and rash. If the Eastern Depot and the Rear Guard had not intervened in time, he would likely have been captured by the horse bandits.

The enemy retreated like the wind, and the mass of horses soon vanished into the vast mountains. Mada, supported by his eunuchs, ignored the 'entanglements' of his ministers. He needed rest. Although he knew there were more critical matters to attend to—the horse bandits might very well return—Mada was not only physically exhausted but also deeply weary in spirit. Of those ministers he relied upon, how many could truly hold up half the sky when faced with a major crisis? Not a single one!

Mada was well aware of the relationship between the Eastern Depot and the Rear Guard. Gu Qi, the Commander of the Rear Guard, was originally an unremarkable figure, but since returning from the bandit suppression campaigns, Mada keenly felt that the man had changed immensely, as if he had grown from a child into an adult. Mada knew very well whose contributions were greatest in bringing about this transformation.

Yet, this outsider, this foreign-blooded man—could he truly assist the Crown Prince in achieving greatness? Would he eventually control the court politics like Pang Hu does now? With countless beautiful women in his harem, would he shame the royal lineage through debauchery? Had he violated his beloved Fifteenth Princess? Mada's thoughts were endless; he was tired and needed rest.

When no one could stop him, no one dared to obstruct him further. Mada returned to his sleeping quarters without acknowledging the Empress's anxious inquiries, lying down on his bed and quietly closing his eyes. The eunuchs dared not even breathe loudly, knowing the Emperor's temperament—silence was best at times like these. But someone inevitably dared to violate this unspoken rule, and this person was someone even the eunuchs dared not reprimand: the Sixteenth Princess, Ma Xiaorui.

"Father Emperor, is it true that there was a victory outside? Why are you sleeping in the middle of the day? You should go out and see! Are you feeling unwell? Shall I find someone to examine you? I know the divine physician Hua Qingqing; she is far more capable than the imperial physicians at the Imperial Hospital."

Although Mada was inwardly vexed, he doted on this daughter and was not angry. He replied in a gentle, fatherly tone, "Father Emperor is just in a bad mood today, and I spent half the day beating the war drums on the wall to support Commander Gu and the others, so I need to rest for a while."

Ma Xiaorui said, "Father Emperor, Mother would not let me go out of the palace to watch the battle."

"It's better for a young lady not to involve herself in such matters,"mada said with affection.

"Father Emperor," Ma Xiaorui chuckled, "I fear what you say now is too late. My sister and I are already involved. Wasn't I the Inspector General during the bandit suppression in Huyang? And just this morning, I secretly issued an edict to the East Factory and Chief Guard Gu of the Imperial Guards, instructing them to dispatch troops to protect the Imperial City at the critical moment. I wonder how they performed."

Mada sprang up from the **, demanding, "What is going on? How could you issue an edict to the East Factory and the Imperial Guards? Who allowed you to do this?"

Ma Xiaorui blinked in surprise. "Father Emperor, did they cause trouble? If they did, please don't blame me. It was my sister and Imperial Brother who insisted they take on such an important role. I am just a child; what do I know about fighting?"

Mada pulled his daughter down to sit on the edge of the bed. "Tell me exactly what happened. Have your sister and Imperial Brother returned?"

Ma Xiaorui’s eyes darted around. "No, they haven't returned. We communicated via telephone. After they learned the horse bandits had besieged Shuangcheng, they planned to rush back to save Your Majesty, but I told them Shuangcheng has a hundred thousand Imperial Guards; how could a mere horse bandit frighten them? However, my sister and Imperial Brother were worried about Your Majesty’s safety, saying the Imperial Guards are a bunch of good-for-nothing freeloaders, and even more of them would be useless. Only Chief Guard Gu Qi of the Imperial Guards is somewhat competent, and the troops he leads are passable. Additionally, the East Factory yamen in the central city has considerable power that can be utilized. So, I persuaded my sister and brother to remain on the front lines maintaining border security, with my Sixteenth Princess commanding things here. Surely, surely nothing major went wrong, right?"

Mada ignored his daughter's question. "So, you secretly issued edicts to these two departments, ordering them to dispatch troops to protect the throne at the crucial moment?"

Ma Xiaorui had overheard people discussing a victory outside the city, but she knew nothing of the specifics. Fearing she might have done harm with good intentions, as she had with Ma Xiaowei last time, she asked anxiously, "Yes, Father Emperor. Did they make a mistake? I—I think they are very capable, and I don't want such talent to be buried. I wanted them to serve Your Majesty at the critical moment. Surely, surely it wasn't a big problem, right?"

Seeing his daughter growing fearful, Mada told her the truth. "They did very well; they fought with exceptional bravery, far surpassing those so-called orthodox Imperial Guards. If the East Factory and the Imperial Guards hadn't appeared in time just now, you might not be seeing your father. And to think the merit for all this belongs to my Sixteenth Princess behind the scenes. It seems my usual favoritism toward you was not in vain."

Upon hearing it was good news, Ma Xiaorui immediately puffed up. "I told you they wouldn't disgrace themselves! Father Emperor, rest assured, with my sister and me here, your and Imperial Brother's reign will be stable. Which blind fool dares to cause trouble? Hmph, I'll have someone beat them up!"

It seemed a child was still a child; she thought doing something big meant she had grown up. Mada put on a stern face. "Mind your princess decorum. You speak without restraint. Those ten thousand horse bandits were ferocious. Do you have the ability to find someone to beat them up? Learn from your Fifteenth Imperial Sister; see how she conducts herself. Don't talk so big or you'll twist your tongue."

Ma Xiaorui felt a bit annoyed by her father's words. She knew exactly what kind of person Ma Xiaowei was—one thing in public, another in private. Besides, about 'talking big,' when was she talking big? If she hadn't taken the initiative to issue commands based on guidance, her father might truly have been in danger just now. The horse bandits were indeed formidable, but weren't they utterly routed by that man? As long as she spoke, he wouldn't refuse. Hmph, if he dared refuse, she'd spread the ugly truth about the two of them. He would be scared and forced to make whoever she wanted beaten, beaten.

Ma Xiaorui tugged at her father's sleeve. "Father Emperor, then tell me, was what Xiaorui did just now right? If I hadn't supported them from behind, would they have dared to mobilize so many troops? So, you must credit me with a merit. Father Emperor, I think that Chief Guard Gu is a talent, and his relationship with Grand Preceptor Pang is clearly defined. Everyone in Shuangcheng likely knows Grand Preceptor Pang is at odds with Imperial Brother. Aren't you worried Imperial Brother will be bullied in the future? If Chief Guard Gu is there to protect Imperial Brother, why fear Grand Preceptor Pang?"

Mada said, "Let's not discuss Grand Preceptor Pang. There are things you children won't understand. However, what you said has a lot of merit. I thought about it when I was beating the war drums to cheer on the soldiers on the city wall. If Little Da had the support of a military general like Chief Guard Gu, I wouldn't worry about him not being a wise ruler in the future. But his position is already Chief Guard; unless he's transferred externally, it will be difficult for him to develop further."

Ma Xiaorui said, "Father Emperor, actually, there is something my daughter doesn't know if she should say."

Mada already doted on this daughter, and knowing she was the one who ordered the East Factory and the Imperial Guards to prepare for battle, which saved the lives of her father and the ministers at the critical moment, he naturally favored his youngest daughter a bit more. "Go ahead, when did you start being so polite with Father Emperor?"

Ma Xiaorui said, "Father Emperor, I feel very uneasy seeing you grow older day by day. Besides the relentless passage of time, it's mostly the court matters that worry you, right? Now that Imperial Brother is assisting with governance, many small matters can be handed over to him. This will, first, give you some ease, and second, allow Imperial Brother to accumulate experience early."

Mada nodded. "That is natural. That was my intention."

Ma Xiaorui continued, "But Father Emperor, the Imperial Guards matter has dragged you into a great deal of energy and time! The rotational shifts of the five Guard Battalions and the promotion or dismissal of personnel—you don't need to concern yourself with these trivial matters anymore."

Mada said, "How can I let this matter go unattended? The Imperial Guards are the final defense of the Imperial City; you should understand their importance better than anyone. I never had strong control over the Five Guard Battalions to begin with; if I let go now, who knows what might happen? So, whether I want to or not, the management of the Five Guard Battalions must only move towards further centralization. If it loosens even slightly, problems could arise."

Ma Xiaorui said, "Father Emperor, you misunderstood my meaning. I mean that in court affairs, you can delegate some power to Imperial Brother. It's the same with the Imperial Guards. Find someone you trust the most and establish the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards to manage the Imperial Guards on your behalf. You only need to manage that one person well to manage the entire Imperial Guard. Isn't that much easier than you scrutinizing every single detail?"

Mada stroked his daughter's soft hair with satisfaction. "I didn't expect my little Xiaorui to have grown up. Establishing a Commander of the Imperial Guards? That idea is indeed excellent, but finding someone both capable and trustworthy for Father Emperor will be difficult, I fear."

Ma Xiaorui said, "Father Emperor, why would that be hard to find? I will help you find someone who is familiar with the military affairs of the Imperial Guards, has high prestige within the Imperial Guards, and is also completely loyal to Your Majesty." Mada stroked his chin and pondered, "Are you referring to Gu Qi?"

Ma Xiaorui said happily, "Father Emperor, I didn't expect we'd think of the same person! You just said he saved Your Majesty, and Chief Guard Gu has always been trusted by the court; he surely won't have any ill intentions. Moreover, the fifteen thousand Imperial Guards he brought back from the Huyang front all support him. Those fifteen thousand Imperial Guards now hold minor and major posts in the various Guard Battalions, plus the twenty thousand men of the Imperial Guards who wholeheartedly obey his command. Therefore, within the entire Imperial Guard, besides Chief Guard Gu, there isn't a second general with such prestige. Furthermore, here is a reason why Your Majesty might not be displeased: previously, the Imperial Guards were directly managed by Your Majesty, but what was the result? When the Red Turban rebels, a few hundred bandits, attacked the West Gate, they defeated the forty thousand border reinforcement army. That is truly a colossal joke! But Your Majesty just said the Imperial Guards fought bravely, and it was they and the East Factory who saved Your Majesty. Doesn't this sufficiently prove Chief Guard Gu's capability? If he leads the Imperial Guards, they will become a formidable force!"

Mada said, "What you say is reasonable. I didn't expect that among my seventeen princesses, only the Fifteenth and Sixteenth are truly my comfort. My usual affection for them was not in vain. My Fifteenth Imperial Sister is meticulous, sharp, and intelligent; with her as Inspector General, Father Emperor feels at ease with everything. With her, even with your Imperial Brother's playful nature, Father Emperor doesn't worry. And now you have also grown up and know how to share your father's worries. Very good. Father Emperor is truly gratified."

Ma Xiaorui blushed and whispered, "It's all thanks to him teaching me well; otherwise, how would I notice these things?"

Mada didn't hear clearly. "What? Who taught you what?"

Ma Xiaorui hurriedly covered up, "Nothing, I mean, it's actually Fifteenth Sister who taught me a lot of knowledge; otherwise, I wouldn't be where I am today. Xiaorui is very happy to receive Father Emperor's praise."

Mada stood up, full of spirit. "I must summon all the ministers to court. Even if someone obstructs this matter, I will firmly establish it! Gu Qi has not only rendered meritorious service in saving the throne but is also highly capable in governing troops. Promoting him to Commander of the Imperial Guards is the will of the people. I hope he will diligently assist the Crown Prince in the future and not let down my affection for him."

Ma Xiaorui said, "Rest assured, Father Emperor. I believe the person I recommended will not be wrong. Furthermore, if anything happens, my sister and I will stand by you and Imperial Brother. You and the Empress and the others can rest easy. Our backs are strong; no one will dare to touch us."

How could Mada know his daughter was immensely proud because she had found her beloved? He thought she was just saying things casually to amuse him. He chuckled vaguely and left the sleeping quarters. This matter should be done sooner rather than later. The performance of the Imperial Guards just now was evident to all. Proposing this matter now, even if others had reservations, they couldn't strongly oppose it, as the recent battle that saved lives and turned the tide was undeniable.

The court officials, many of whom had remained after not returning home, were naturally prompt when the Emperor suddenly called for an assembly. All officials arrived promptly. Mada got straight to the point, proposing the matter. In truth, he also felt a sense of gratitude. Originally, he might have had to flee the city like a stray dog using a rope-and-basket lift, or perhaps died heroically outside the city gate. But because of the appearance of Gu Qi and the East Factory, everything had changed.

Regarding the establishment of the Commander of the Imperial Guards, the Wang faction and the Xiang faction had absolutely no objections; in fact, they strongly supported it. Everyone knew the Imperial Guards were controlled by Pang Hu, and having a knife hanging over the head of Pang Hu, the de facto commander, was a good thing. However, Pang Hu was not foolish; he knew Mada intended to use the momentum of Gu Qi's merit to reclaim control of the Imperial Guards. But at this moment, he was in a dilemma. Everyone had witnessed Gu Qi saving them, including Pang Hu himself. If he opposed the matter outright now, he risked alienating the hearts of his subordinates. Furthermore, the Emperor was resolute about this matter; even if Grand Preceptor Pang disagreed, he might not be able to stop the proceedings. It wasn't worth inciting the Pang faction to threaten resignation to force the palace's hand just over establishing a Commander of the Imperial Guards.

After careful consideration, Grand Preceptor Pang finally had to agree. However, he did not forget to demand a deputy position for one of his own people, just as he had done with the Commander of the Imperial Bodyguards. In short, if he could occupy a spot, he would, even if it couldn't play a major role, he could gain intelligence in advance.

While everyone was settling the matter here, Gu Qi, who was clearing the battlefield outside the West City, knew nothing of it until the eunuch arrived to summon him. He thought the Emperor wanted to discuss repelling the enemy. When he met Ma Xiaorui outside the hall, Ma Xiaorui cheerfully asked him for a reward.

"Chief Guard Gu, I deserve merit too! Even if you are penniless, you should at least buy me some rouge and powder, right?"

Gu Qi had a good relationship with Ma Xiaorui, having spent many days suppressing bandits together in Huyang. "What? Is the Sixteenth Princess calling me?"

Ma Xiaorui laughed. "Of course, it's you, Chief Guard Gu. You might not know yet, but I suggested to Father Emperor that you be made Commander of the Imperial Guards—the top position among the Five Guard Battalions, equivalent to managing the Imperial Guards on my father's behalf. Even if this was Zhao Qian's idea, I was the one who voiced it to Father Emperor, so you should be grateful to me."

Gu Qi was greatly surprised. "Lord Zhao didn't mention this to me. This... this might lead me to fail the expectations of Your Lordship and His Highness the Crown Prince."

There was no one else nearby, so Ma Xiaorui did not hold back. "What are you afraid of? Brother-in-law Zhao Qian is there for everything. Besides, assigning you back to the Imperial Guards was for this very day. You cannot refuse or shrink back."

Gu Qi gritted his teeth. "Then I will do my best and hope to contribute what I can for His Highness the Crown Prince and Lord Zhao."

Ma Xiaorui said, "That's right. You must quickly take control of the Imperial Guards. Then, when my Imperial Brother ascends the throne, he won't be manipulated by others. We will have external forces, internal forces, plus the two major powers of the Imperial Stud and the East Factory. Do you think we'll still need to look to others' faces?"

Gu Qi's confidence soared. "His Highness the Crown Prince is the nation's heir; when he succeeds the Emperor, he will naturally be above all others. How could he need to look to others' faces? What would be the point of having people like us then?"

Ma Xiaorui said happily, "Go, go. My task is complete; I'm going back to rest. I didn't sleep well last night because of that bugle call, and this morning I've been busy with one thing and another."

Gu Qi took a couple of steps, then turned back. "Sixteenth Princess, I almost forgot what the Second Commander instructed me to tell you. He asked me to tell you that there has been a lot of gossip in the court recently, and he hopes Lord Zhao can take precautions early."

Ma Xiaorui asked, puzzled, "What matter?"

Gu Qi said, "According to the Second Commander, first, someone suspects the death of Zhang Guan. Secondly, there is a secret rumor that the Fifteenth Princess is having an illicit affair with Lord Zhao. Even more seriously, someone is spreading rumors that Lord Zhao is hoarding military power and endangers the court's authority."

"Nonsense!" Ma Xiaorui said angrily. "Zhao Qian has absolutely no rebellious intentions. If it weren't for his past friendship with my Imperial Brother, he wouldn't get involved in these matters at all. However, the other two issues are very troublesome. Thank you, Chief Guard Gu. I must hurry and tell them. Please enter the hall quickly."